I am a recently retired Academic Dean, and before retiring, I spent over 35 years as an academic. In 2008 my life was turned upside down when I heard five words from my surgeon following a biopsy: “You have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma” or Stage IIB breast cancer.

Since retiring from academia in 2015, I have published a book on breast cancer entitled "How I Survived Breast Cancer: An Inspirational Journey of Hope and Fact," and have spent considerable time advocating for patient issues related to breast cancer treatment and research. I have worked regionally and nationally with men and women breast cancer survivors. Through public presentations, and media interviews that has been a result of my publicity of my published book, I have spoken on issues of breast cancer treatment and diagnosis, breast cancer awareness, and the importance – for both men and women – to have regularly screenings. In addition, using my book as a vehicle, I have done numerous presentations on male breast cancer highlighting the message that “men can get breast cancer too.” 

Since retiring, my passion is to promote awareness of breast cancer issues in both men and women, and to advocate for breast cancer patient rights to have access to the latest treatments for early and late stage breast cancer. I have over the last several years gained considerable experience as a Susan G. Komen volunteer, ranging from lobbying efforts to patient/research advocacy, as a member of the Komen Advocacy Advisory Taskforce (KAAT), and as a grant reviewer. At the regional level, I have worked intensively with the local Komen affiliate, on grant preparation, committee work, and am very active on the local speaker’s circuit. In recognition of my affiliate work, I was recognized as the 2016 Breast Cancer Survivor of the Year by the Central Tennessee Komen affiliate. Most importantly, as a breast cancer survivor, I have a deep rooted passion and connection with the Susan G. Komen mission of “someday living in a world without breast cancer” and will work relentlessly to play a major role in achieving this goal.

Over the last year I have spent considerable time and effort promoting the Susan G. Komen foundation to various advocacy organizations. For example, I am a Cancer Research Advocate with the National Cancer Institute, and an Affiliate Advocate Member for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). I am also one of the Komen representatives on the Tennessee Cancer Fairness Treatment Coalition, and a Research/Patient Advocate for the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.

Number of years as a cancer survivor: Four years

How many years have you been a VICC research advocate?  Two

Why did you become a VICC research advocate?

I chose to become a VICC research advocate with the intention to indirectly support other survivors by contributing to the cancer research process.

List any ways you are involved in the community, if any. (Ex: non-profit boards, volunteer work, committees, etc.)

I am currently a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.  I volunteer to assist with cancer related events in the community such as the Komen Foundation and Ronald McDonald House.

Any other information you feel would be relevant to your advocacy bio that is not covered above?

I have worked as a clinical research monitor on hematology and oncology studies for both major pharmaceutical and biotech companies for the past twenty years.

Number of years as a cancer survivor: 5 years

How many years have you been a VICC research advocate?  3 years

Why did you become a VICC research advocate?

To foster the advancement of cancer research.

Other Facts:

She was a member of the Nashville Lung Cancer Screening Trial at Vanderbilt and her life was saved through the early detection of her lung cancer.

Number of years as a cancer survivor: 10

How many years have you been a VICC research advocate?  8

Why did you become a VICC research advocate?

To improve the decision making and outcomes of future patients diagnosed with cancer.

List any ways you are involved in the community, if any. (Ex: non-profit boards, volunteer work, committees, etc.)

Board member of Nashville based non-profit GIFT (Giving in Faith Together) and Dallas, TX based Unlimited Partnerships.

List any ways you are involved in national organizations, if any. (Ex: grant reviewer for DoD, national advocacy, etc.)

Research Advocate in Washington DC for ZERO Prostate Cancer.

List any presentations or poster sessions you have been involved in at scientific conferences.

Guest speaker at VICC’s 2014 Retreat on Predictive Oncology.

Do you serve on any committees, advisory boards, etc. at VICC or VUMC?

I serve on two VUMC clinical research teams related to prostate cancer and a third team dealing with Patient Reported Non-Routine Events in advanced cases of prostate, breast, lung, and pediatric cancers. I was also part of the Engagement Working Group of the VUMC Strategic Planning effort this past summer (2016)

Any other information you feel would be relevant to your advocacy bio that is not covered above?

Listed as one of the authors on multiple clinical research papers coming from Dr. David Penson’s CEASAR (Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation) project.